Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1887-03-24
Brooklyn Letter.
BROOKLYN, Mar. II, 1887.

Editor of the 1mericdn:
To-day witnesses the entombment of
Brooklyn's most widely known citizen, and
takes from the active scenes of life the
most noted preacher Of the continent, and
without doubt the greatest American
preacher of the nineteenth century. HIS
illness was first known one week ago to-
day and was made public at a late hour of
the day. Yesterday funeral services were
held from 10 to II O'Clock. in five of the
churches on the Heights, and all were
filed to their utmost capacity. Business
was generally suspended during the mid
day hours, and the masses of people which
crowded the streets showed that no ordin-
ary event had occurred. The city will miss
Mr. Beecher, and in its loss the country will
sympathize. Although Mr.. Beecher was
not regarded as a correct theologian in the
scholarly sense, he was loved for the full
ness of his head and heart as a preacher of
the gospel of the love of Christ, and good
tidings to man. and his hand head and
heart went out for the human race. He
made mistakes, as all men do, but they were
forgotten or buried in the deeds of bcney
olcnce and charity, of which he was full.
In 1873 and again in 1884 Mr.. BceCher gave
many of his friends occasion for disap-
pointment and sorrow. But his loyalty
to the cause of freedom for the enslavcd
and his defence of. the Nations life when
it was mpcrilcd at home and abroad were
so substantial that the faults of the hour
al other times were allowed to he passed
over by many. who wished well toward
him a~ whole. Though he may not be
missed a. a theological teacher he will he
greatly missed a. a preacher and public
speaker. During the past week there has
been a great thrung of people in the street
about his house, curious to see and hear
something, and during yesterday the num-
her would reach near ten thousand which
gathered about the church, not counting
those inside the building. II Is estimated
that about forty thousand went through
the church to view hiS face for the last
time BY his death, Mr.. Bccchcr has made
one lift in the public thought concerning
the drapery of the funeral rites of our
friends. We trust the departure of the
DAYS Of Grape are drawing nigh and the
day Of brighter hopes and towcry beds is
having it> morning, or at least that there
j. to be seen a glmmcr Of the long looked
for dawn After Mr. Bcccher died instead
uf the usual black Grape upon the door
knob. there was a beautiful wreath Of
flowers and in al the decorations Of the
churches where ~erN ices were held. this
cheerful method was observed. If any
one i disposed to think there was little
good in hj> life, they must admit the fact
that hi~ death may help greatly IN need
cd reform in the surroundings Of funeral
ceremonies.
To turn from one Who has closed life
~ christian usefulness IA those Who are
beginning such life | would say that in
recent revival season Of "A fcw weeks there
have been added To the Tabernacle Pres
hytcrian church. Dr Talmage'>. about 80
persons and continuing from that service
there were meetings At the Young Mems
Christian Association room and a. the re-
suit Of these meetings about $50 men We're
converted ON the 20th Of this month the
Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian church
pr Cuylcr'> ) viii begin. series Of ser
vices in which some other churches may
iuiu1 These services will be conducted
by the Rev B. FAY Mills who has been la
boring with marked success in Morri>town
and Plainicd. " j. and New buryport
Mass There is a deep interest in religious
matters in the sabbath School Of the
church at the present time, and as tile re-
suit, many will unite with the church at
the next communion season which occurs
on the sabbath Of the 2Oth inst Thus
the good work goes on and the generation
now coming up To take the place OF the
one departing, will be better lifted for the
duties Of life, in just so much a they cX-
eel in christian gracc~ One work of inter
est which is to the front in the sabbath
school .i> the instruction to teachers by the
best bible scholars in our community. The
classes taught BY such men as Dr>. Hump
stone, Moment Schautiier, and Ralph
Wells are wcll attended, and their members
have excellent furnishing for their work
in the Sabbath school teaching. All de
nominations join in these Saturday lessons
To teachers and the Sabbath school work
cr> are thus made better acquainted with
their co-laborerS. L. J.